International adoptions has declined sharply

The international adoption of children to Europe has seen a steady decline in the last few years, with the numbers dropping from an all-time high of 10,000 in 2004 to just over 4,000 in 2019. This can be attributed to a number of factors.

One of the main contributing factors to the decline in international adoptions to Europe is the increased focus on family reunification and keeping children in their home countries. This has been encouraged by the European Union, which has put in place a number of policies and regulations that aim to protect the rights of the child and ensure that they are not separated from their families.

Since 2004 there has been a dramatic decline in adoptions and in 2013 the annual total was the lowest since 1993. Peter Selman Newcastle University, UK

The Hague Convention on Protection of Children and Co-operation in Respect of Intercountry Adoption is an international treaty that has been ratified by all European Union countries. This treaty sets out the conditions for international adoptions and requires countries to ensure that all adoptions are in the best interests of the child. As a result, countries have become more cautious when considering international adoptions and have tightened their laws and regulations.

Global Statistics for Intercountry Adoption Receiving States and States of origin 2004-2020. Peter Selman, Newcastle University.

Finally, the increased awareness of the risks associated with international adoption has also played a role in the decline of adoptions to Europe. With more information available about the potential risks of international adoption, such as child trafficking, fraud and exploitation, families have become increasingly wary of the process and have chosen not to pursue international adoption.

Surrogacy as an alternative to international adoption

The use of surrogacy as an alternative to international adoption has been on the rise in recent years, as more childless and intended parents have turned to this option to have children. This is in part due to the increasing availability of fertility treatments, which have allowed more couples to conceive a child without the use of a surrogate. However, there are still many couples and individuals who prefer to use a surrogate in order to become parents.

Surrogacy is a form of assisted reproductive technology (ART) in which a woman carries and gives birth to a child for another person or couple. The surrogate mother may be the biological mother of the child, or she may be a gestational carrier who has no genetic connection to the child. In either case, the intended parents become the legal parents of the child, and the surrogate mother has no legal or parental rights over the child.

Surrogacy is often seen as a preferable option to adoption

Surrogacy is often seen as a preferable option to international adoption for many couples and individuals. For one, it can be a much faster process than international adoption. Depending on the country and the type of adoption, the process of international adoption can take anywhere from several months to several years. In comparison, surrogacy can be a relatively quick process, with the entire process from start to finish taking anywhere from one to two years.

Surrogacy allows intended parents to be more involved

Another advantage of surrogacy is that it allows intended parents to be more involved in the pregnancy and birth of their child. With international adoption, the intended parents usually have no contact with the birth mother and no say in the medical care or other decisions made during the pregnancy. With surrogacy, the intended parents are actively involved in the pregnancy and can be present for the birth of their child. This can be an extremely rewarding experience for the intended parents and can help to create a strong bond between the parents and the child.

The cost of adoption and surrogacy

Surrogacy can also be a more cost-effective option than international adoption. The cost of international adoption can range from $20,000 to upwards of $50,000, depending on the country and type of adoption. Surrogacy, on the other hand, typically costs anywhere from $50,000 to $100,000, depending on the type of surrogacy chosen and the services provided.

More control over the process

Finally, surrogacy can provide intended parents with more control over the process. With international adoption, the intended parents have no control over the birth mother or the child’s medical care. With surrogacy, the intended parents can often choose the surrogate mother, the medical care provided, and the type of delivery. This can give intended parents peace of mind that their child is receiving the best possible care.

Overall, surrogacy is becoming a more popular option for childless and intended parents who are looking to become parents. It can provide a faster, more cost-effective, and more involved process than international adoption, and it can give intended parents more control over the process. As such, it is understandable why more couples and individuals are turning to surrogacy instead of international adoption to have children.